Southern Sky Renewable Energy RI and the City of Warwick flipped the switch on the city’s second solar array. The array on West Shore Road hosts 2,628 panels producing 1 MW of electricity.

In October, a 6.3-MW solar array on Kilvert Street also came online. Warwick’s solar portfolio with Southern Sky will offset the power used at municipal buildings and other city locations.

Southern Sky Renewable Energy completed a 1-MW solar system in Warwick, Rhode Island, the second of three solar projects in the city. Southern Sky turned on a 6.3-MW solar project in October and has another underway in the city. Southern Sky Renewable Energy RI

“The City of Warwick is committed to clean, renewable energy to lessen our dependence on fossil fuels,” said Mayor Joseph Solomon. “Our portfolio of solar will offset the energy used at our municipal buildings and generate additional revenue for the city and its taxpayers.”

Over 70% of the city’s power will be produced by the West Shore Road and Kilvert Street projects. The third site in Warwick’s portfolio is currently under construction in Johnston. The 6,834-panel project on Plainfield Pike will produce 2.7 MW of solar energy. The skilled tradespeople of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW Local 99) worked on all three projects.

“Southern Sky is proud to partner with mayor Solomon and cities and towns across Rhode Island to transition to renewable energy, save on energy costs and generate additional revenue,” said Ralph A. Palumbo, president, Southern Sky Renewable Energy RI. “We are committed to delivering high-quality solar projects and transforming brownfields, landfills and other vacant land to clean energy solutions.”

In addition to energy savings, the city will receive property taxes for the two Warwick sites over the 25-year life of the projects.

Southern Sky Renewable Energy RI worked with the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, Department of Environmental Management and Department of Transportation to make the projects a reality. In addition, the projects also received CommerceRI grants through their Renewable Energy Fund.

Southern Sky contracted with Conti Solar to design and construct the facility and the project received a capital investment from Captona Partners, a New York-based investment company specializing in power generation and energy infrastructure assets. Monarch Private Capital and John Hancock have also invested in this portfolio of renewable energy projects.